Hi Friends!
Happy Monday 🙂 Over the weekend we had some friends over for a dinner party. But not just any dinner party! Thanks to the lovely folks over at Eggland’s Best, we were able to host an EB Mine Brinner party to help promote February as National Heart Health month! (*I received a free package of Eggland’s Best goodies as well a gift card to help me with the groceries for the Brinner party but I hosted this party because I believe strongly in the importance in raising awareness in the importance of heart health.)
- According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death among men and women in the United States. However, there are simple steps you can take to help reduce your risk, including proper nutrition and daily exercise. These lifestyle changes, along with not smoking can help cut your odds of having a heart attack by 92% (Source: Woman’s Day, February 2012).
- Eggs can be incorporated into a heart-healthy diet, and are one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat. Eggland’s Best eggs contain less cholesterol than ordinary eggs, as well as more than 2X the heart healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, 2X more Vitamin D, and 10X more Vitamin E, a vitamin associated with reducing the risk of heart disease.
So here’s the deal. We all know I LOVE breakfast. And I LOVE eggs. Egg sandwiches are pretty much a staple in my lunch-time rotation, scrambled eggs make an appearance pretty much every weekend and the hubby and I actually eat brinner fairly often.
Due to the fact that last week was one of the craziest off my life, I didn’t actually start planning this party until Friday afternoon. The thing about me and planning parties is that I tend to get a little over zealous. And I make A LOT of lists. Since I was in a bit of a time crunch, I turned to my fellow bloggers for some inspiration when I was making my list of healthy egg dishes.
First, let’s start with what I didn’t have a chance to make. These are dishes that sounded fantastic, but I either didn’t have enough people coming, enough ovens, or enough arms to make them all. In case you’ve never tried, it’s difficult to plan a party that involves several egg dished that all need to be cooked and done at the same time!
So, here’s some great egg recipes for you to check out that are still on my to try:
Poached Eggs in Spicy Tomato Sauce from Cat @ Breakfast to Bed
Fried Eggs in Bell Pepper Rings
Baked Eggs in Bread Bowls from Sarah @ Baking Serendipity
Peach Dutch Baby Pancake from Brandi @ Bran Appetit
Spinach & Feta Wonton Quiche Cups from Jenn @ Peas and Crayons
Those look pretty good right? I bet you’re wondering what exactly I did make? Well, let’s take a look at the menu:
The Lean Green Bean Brinner Party
Deviled Eggs
Avocado & Egg Salad Sliders
Mixed Berry Baked French Toast
Sausage, Egg & Vegetable Breakfast Casserole
Veggie Egg Muffins
Bean & Veggie Breakfast Burritos w/ Ranchero Sauce
Fruit Salad
Orange Juice & Cocktails
Let’s take a closer look shall we? Like I said, it started with a lot of lists…and LOTS of eggs.
I got up Saturday morning and got to work. I started with the French Toast because it typically sits overnight. I used this recipe from Taste of Home. I prepped the bread and let it sit all day. I decided to cook this first because I knew it would reheat a little better, if necessary, than the dishes that were more egg heavy like the casserole. Our guests came at 7:00pm, so I popped this in the oven at 5:30 and cooked it for 1/2 an hour. Then I took it out, added the berry topping and baked it for another 15 minutes. I stored it in an insulated bag and it was still nice and warm by the time we ate, about an hour later.
Next I tackled the cold dishes. I wanted to chose a few dishes that didn’t need to be baked/require the oven. I had coupons for pre-cooked and peeled eggs but couldn’t find them at my grocery store, so I pulled out my pressure cooker and got to work.
I made my first ever deviled eggs using this recipe from Anne @ Fannetastic Food. This recipe swaps greek yogurt for the mayo, an easy swap to make these more heart healthy. I was a little nervous about making these because I don’t eat them and really had no idea what they were supposed to taste like. Plus I only had spicy brown mustard instead of dijon. But they were all gone at the end of the night so I guess they were good 🙂 I made them in the morning and then just sprinkled on the paprika right before everyone came!
I used the rest of the hard-boiled eggs to make egg salad, another thing I don’t eat. I knew I wanted to add some avocado to make these even more heart-healthy so I was excited when I found this recipe from The Pioneer Woman. I halved the recipe, left out the chives and swapped greek yogurt for the mayo…then I served it on slider buns. I made the eg salad ahead of time. I was nervous about the avocado browning but since there was vinegar in the recipe I figured it would be ok. And it was! Then I just spooned them onto buns right before serving.
While I was cooking, the boys had a little playtime with this fun little egg toy…It’s their new fav.
Next up, I prepped the breakfast casserole. I used this recipe from Taste of Home and used Morningstar Breakfast Sausage. It was my first time buying the pre-shredded hash browns and they worked out really well. I bought the plain kind because they were very low sodium. I assembled the whole casserole and stuck it in the fridge. In the evening, after the french toast was cooked, I popped this casserole in and it finished cooking right around 7:15 when people started arriving.
Next up, I made the egg muffins. I followed this recipe from Amy @ The Scene From Me. I’ve made these before and they were a hit with the hubby. This time, I left the sausage out and just used veggies and cheese (1/2 feta, 1/2 cheddar). They’re a great, healthy breakfast that can be made ahead of time and re-heated throughout the week, or even frozen and eaten later. I put these in the oven last, right when people started eating and they were ready just in time for the people who came back for seconds.
The last thing I made was breakfast burritos. They were inspired by this recipe from Katie @ Yes I Want Cake. I left out the potatoes and bacon and just used black beans, veggies and eggs, plus some avocado, tomatoes and cheese. I started cooking these around 6:30 and assembled them all and wrapped them in foil to keep them warm.
I also whipped up some of this Ranchero Sauce from Janetha @ Meals and Moves for people to top the burritos with. I used 1 poblano pepper, a can of hot, diced jalapenos and only 1 Tbsp butter.
EB also sent me coupons to give away to my guests. They were a huge hit! We all like our eggs 🙂
I also made a HUGE fruit salad for everyone to enjoy on the side.
And our friends brought the cocktails!
So there you go! A full party recap. In case you didn’t pick up on it, everything at the party was totally vegetarian! And I’m happy to say that all the dishes were a hit, even with my meat-loving friends!!!! Hopefully this inspired you to try a few new healthy egg recipes!
And guess what…EB has offered to send one reader the same package of goodies I got.
It includes:
- 2 Free EB Dozen coupons (Any variety- classic, cage-free, or organic)
- 1 Free EB Hard Cooked and Peeled variety coupon
- 1 EB Apron
- 1 EB Spatula
- 1 EB Whisk
- 1 EB Cutting Board
- 1 EB Mixing Bowl
- 1 EB Bowl Scraper
- 1 EB Coffee Mug
- 1 Plush Egg
- 1 EB Tote Bag
Wanna win? Just leave a comment telling me your favorite heart-healthy egg dish! I’ll choose a winner randomly tomorrow night. Giveaway ends Tuesday Feb 21st at 10pm EST.
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
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What a fun party idea!
My favorite heart-healthy egg dish would probably be any egg burritos or egg casseroles! I love how with either dish you can totally customize it to fit your taste! 🙂
Love making egg salad…Here’s a Southwestern Version that is “lightened-up” by using less egg yolks and more egg whites 🙂 http://www.recklessabandoncook.com/2011/05/light-southwestern-egg-salad.html
I love eggs, too, and would happily have them for dinner anytime!! They are so versatile, and, like you said, good for you. Looks like the party was a hit, and now lucky me, I get new recipes and ideas for cooking with eggs! Thanks
IM SO SO SO BORING but always a scramble here 🙂
I like a veggie omelet with salsa!
Haha wow this looks like so much fun, your menu sounds amazing! One of my favorite ways to eat eggs is inside my oatmeal! I sometimes stir an egg in at the end of the cooking time and it makes it thick and creamy and delicious!
woah – i wish i was at your dinner party! everything sounds awesome.
i’m pretty boring, but my favorite egg dish is an omelette loaded up with veggies and topped with salsa!
I’m glad the deviled eggs were a hit! Love the photo collages 🙂
I love healthy breakfast casseroles but I’m also a sucker for sunny side up eggs with salsa. I heart eggs.
Whew, girl, that’s quite the brinner you put together! I love a classic omelet with spinach, onions, tomatoes and goat cheese. MMM! And my mom’s deviled eggs. They’re pretty delicious.
I love to poach eggs in tomato sauce and add some spinach or kale for color!
Wow, very impressive work, Lindsay! And to answer your question, I love a frittata with sauteed veggies!! 🙂
I love scrambled eggs topped with Swiss cheese or roasted red pepper hummus. I’m a simple girl.
Oh my gosh that looks like such a fun party! And the food looks delicious :). I love spinach, feta, and tomato omelets!
Nice spread!!!! You must have been crazy busy to get all of those dishes done! I am totally intrigued by those sliders.
I love eggs too and I eat them for dinner at least once or twice a week. My fave ways are an egg & veggie scramble with goat cheese or a scrambled egg with cheese sammie.
Looks fantastic! Nice job! I would love the package and I would have to say the egg bake recipe I sent you is a favorite of mine!
I love egg salad sandwiches!!
I LOVE making egg salad sandwiches with avocado (much like your sliders)!! That is probably my go to heart healthy egg dish. Sounds like a great prize!!
Glad you had a fun brinner party!!
All of that looks fantastic! The sliders are such a great idea – I’m a sucker for anything with avocado.
I would LOVE to win. One of my favorite egg dishes is my egg back with cottage cheese. You can add any veggies to it for an awesome, one bowl breakfast!
I am now craving egg salad – I love the idea to add avocado!
I love quiche – I fill it with spinach, mushrooms and tomato and leave out the meat to make it more heart healthy!
Aw, your party look like so much fun! The avocado and egg sliders? Yum!
My favorite heart-healthy egg dish is an omelet with spinach, peppers, and feta cheese. 🙂
Your brinner party looked amazing!!! And my favorite egg dish is probably omelet with cilantro. 🙂
What an awesome giveaway! Thanks for hosting it!
I love plain ole’ boiled eggs for a snack, but I guess that’s not really a dish! Well, this week my favorite egg dish is egg salad made with garlic roasted hummus, served on a big bed of spinach & arugula, topped with feta, and eaten with pita chips on the side.
I love that owl in your kitchen!!
And thanks for the link…glad you have some ready-to-go burritos in your freezer now! 🙂
Omelets (2 eggs) with lots of veggies spewing from the sides. YUM!
How fun! Those egg & avocado sliders look amazing!
Looks like you had a great time!! I saw all your pics on Instagram and was wondering what was going on at your place lol 🙂
I love making breaky burritos with lotsa veggies mmmmmmmm!!!
I LOVE a good brinner party. 🙂
I also love a good runny egg…I have to say, I had an egg for the first time in a LONG while over the weekend, and I forgot how happy they make me. A poached, runny egg is heavenly…
But my two favorite egg dishes I’ve ever made are:
1. Nest Eggs: eggs baked in acorn squash
2. Eggs in Purgatory: eggs poached on the stove in a chipotle-infused tomato sauce
Yum! 🙂
I love any kind of egg breakfast burritos – the best kind are a ww tortilla with scrambled eggs, maybe some turkey bacon and salsa or hot sauce – the spicier the better!!!!
Egg sandwiches, preferably with avocado, cheese and bacon too. 🙂
Girl you went all out!!! Those egg avocado sliders sound amazing.
Fav heart healthy food? Gosh…. Custard oats? There’s an egg in there!!
Oh and where did you find that orange owl?! It’s really close to one of the colors we’re painting an owl in the nursery.
Well this post certainly has me craving some breakfast! lol. I am a big fan of breakfast burritos! 🙂
I love eggs!!!! I love egg salad and made with avocados makes it heart healthy, right? I would love to win this prize!! Your party looked awesome!!!
ahhh how freaking fun! I feel like I actually got to attend your egg-tastic shindig =) Love that the puppers got in on the action with the egg toy and that you guys had fun whipping up so many delish and healthy dishes!!!
OH MY GOSH ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?! This is the most amazing spread of food.. like.. EVER. I am salivating at my desk!!
Love the colleges! And my favorite is probably deviled eggs..or a simple scrambled egg.
how fun! i’m a huge egg lover! i love hard boiled eggs in salads, deviled eggs, egg and cheese sandwiches… the list goes on! 🙂
OMG I want one of those stuffed egg toys so badly for some reason. My fave heart healthy egg dish? Well I don’t know the specs on it but I love to mix egg whites, spinach, feta and sun-dried tomatoes together. Usually for breakfast, but I’ve been known to eat it any time.
The stuffed egg is adorable! I love my Asiago Egg Muffins – just beat the eggs, toss in lots-o-veggies and some Asiago cheese, pour into muffin tins and bake for an easy and healthy brunch dish!
bagel with egg and cheese – nothing like it!
My favorite egg dish is a fried egg with sauteed spinach and mushrooms, bell peppers, and onion, topped with half a slice of cheddar cheese all on top of half a toasted english muffin! Add salsa and voila!
I work nights, and often throw together a quick veggie and egg white pita with salsa and plain greek yogurt before I run out the door.
My favorite heart healthy egg dish would have to be homemade egg mcmuffins. I love to make these egg sandwichs on Saturday mornings when I have to go into work and would rather be at home. 🙂
My favorite healthy egg dish would definitely have to be an egg quiche. I load the quiche with all my favorite veggies. It easy to make, and it is an easy way to use any leftover veggies from the week. 🙂
I basically live on eggs. A simple egg sandwich with cheese is my favorite!
My favorite egg dish is definitely deviled eggs! But my favorite heart healthy dish is egg salad–one whole egg, two egg whites, mashed avocado, a bit of plain greek yogurt, and whatever spices I’m in the mood for that day 🙂
I love to make frittatas! They are a great way to get in all kinds of veggies (and of course eggs!) or whatever you have in the fridge. My husband likes them and so do the kids. I also like that they make great leftovers to eat for breakfast! 🙂
Oh my gosh! I really love eggs too, but I am still a little weary of them when they are runny! Throw some mustard on a completely cooked egg, and I’m all over it. My favorite eggs are deviled eggs (made by my mom are my favorite!). I also love making a “fried egg”, or just an egg cooked over hard and throwing it on bread for a sandwich. SO SO SO good with mustard 🙂
I love the egg dog toys! My two would go crazy over them 🙂
My favorite way to eat eggs, are hard boiled, but my favorite meal is egg salad sandwich with tofu mayo and mustard. I eat an egg almost everyday. What an amazing prize pack and wow your party looked eggtravagant!
YUM!! I love ’em poached with toast (or on pizza)!! Avocado & egg salad sliders sound amazing, definitely going to try 🙂
My breakfast usually consists of an omelette with black beans, nutritional yeast, spinach, plain Greek yogurt, and chia seeds!
Such a fun idea! I’d love to host an egg-centered brunch or brinner! 🙂 One of my favorite egg dishes is egg salad made with greek yogurt and dill.
looks like a fun party! my favorite would have to be avocado egg salad made with greek yogurt not mayo. 🙂 yum- lunch today actually!
I love eggs scrambled up with a laughing cow cheese wedge and a nice hearty piece of toast!
My favorite healthy egg dish: Spanish tortilla – green pepper, eggs, potatoes and onions. I want to make one this week!
I absolutely love eggs with salsa. It’s my go to healthy breakfast.
My favorite heart-healthy egg dish is a protein-packed omelet! Egg whites with turkey breast, tomatoes, and spinach. It leaves me ready to kick the day’s butt!